Keep the change: Win the battle & the war

Life change or life chains?, part 5 of 5
Pastor Vince DiPaola

The “R.E.C.O.V.E.R.Y.” Process of life change:

R ealize your total need for God and His power to change.
E arnestly believe in Christ and His real power to change.
C onsciously commit your life to Christ by inviting Him in.
O penly examine your life and confess my faults appropriately.
V oluntarily submit to every change God wants you to make.
E valuate all your relationships to extend and/or receive forgiveness.
R eserve a daily time w/ God to maintain “life–change” momentum.
Y ield yourself to God’s will and to sharing His work in you w/others.

Yielding to God’s will: our staying power

When we struggle in our life–change process, yield to God by…

1. Trusting His will for you: Provides proper perspective.

“ [Jesus] fell face down on the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet, I want Your will, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39, NLT)

2. Giving your life to God: provides perpetual peace.

“ Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God… you are free by God’s grace.” (Romans 6:13,14b, NLT)

3. Surrendering control to God: provides personal power.

“ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” (Ephesians 5:18, NLT)

Yielding to God’s work: our sharing power

When we succeed in our life–change process…

1. …We can be conduits of comfort for others.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

2. …We can be experts in encouragement of others.

_“ If someone is caught in a sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path*… *Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1–2, NIV & NLT)

3. …We can be God’s ambassadors of grace to others.

“ Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (1 Peter 3:15, The Message)

“…give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15a, NIV)

“Give yourself to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will help you.” (Psalm 37:5, TEV)